Fire resistant anti-ballistic knit fabric and protective article and protective undergarment made from the same

Abstract

A knit fabric is provided having a fabric weight of no more than 20 OPSY (ounces per square yard) prepared from a combination of yarns of a fire-resistant rayon yarn, and an aramid yarn; wherein the knit fabric provides a V50 value of at least 600 fps, measured in accordance with MIL-STD-3207, and particularly provides flame resistance properties, antimicrobial properties, high air permeability, and high water vapor transmission, and a garment formed therefrom.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A knit fabric having a fabric weight of no more than 20 OPSY (ounces per square yard) prepared from a combination of yarns, comprising:
 a fire-resistant rayon yarn, and 
 an aramid yarn; 
 wherein the knit fabric is a plaited jersey knit; and 
 wherein the knit fabric provides a V50 value of at least 600 fps, measured in accordance with MIL-STD-3207. 
 
     
     
       2. The knit fabric as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the fire-resistant rayon yarn and aramid yarn are present in a ratio of rayon/aramid of 40/60 to 60/40. 
     
     
       3. The knit fabric as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the ratio of rayon/aramid is from 48/52 to 52/48. 
     
     
       4. The knit fabric as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the ratio of rayon/aramid is approximately 50/50. 
     
     
       5. The knit fabric as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the ratio of rayon/aramid is 50.5/49.5. 
     
     
       6. The knit fabric as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the knit fabric has a fabric weight of no more than 10 OPSY. 
     
     
       7. The knit fabric as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the V50 value is at least 675 fps. 
     
     
       8. The knit fabric as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the knit fabric provides an air permeability of at least 50 ft 3 /min, as measured in accordance with ASTM D737. 
     
     
       9. The knit fabric as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the V50 value is at least 675 fps. 
     
     
       10. The knit fabric as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the knit fabric provides a water vapor transmission value of at least 0.1024 lbs/ft 2 /24 hrs, as measured in accordance with ASTM E96. 
     
     
       11. The knit fabric as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the V50 value is at least 675 fps. 
     
     
       12. The knit fabric as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the knit fabric provides an antimicrobial reduction of at least 95%, as measured in accordance with AATCC 100-2004. 
     
     
       13. The knit fabric as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the V50 value is at least 675 fps. 
     
     
       14. The knit fabric as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the knit fabric provides an air permeability of at least 50 ft 3 /min, as measured in accordance with ASTM D737, a water vapor transmission value of at least 0.1024 lbs/ft 2 /24 hrs, as measured in accordance with ASTM E96, and an antimicrobial reduction of at least 95%, as measured in accordance with AATCC 100-2004. 
     
     
       15. The knit fabric as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the knit fabric provides an air permeability of at least 350 ft 3 /min, as measured in accordance with ASTM D737, a water vapor transmission value of at least 0.2048 lbs/ft 2 /24 hrs, as measured in accordance with ASTM E96, and an antimicrobial reduction of at least 99%, as measured in accordance with AATCC 100-2004. 
     
     
       16. The knit fabric as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the V50 value is at least 675 fps. 
     
     
       17. The knit fabric as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the V50 value is at least 675 fps. 
     
     
       18. The knit fabric as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the knit fabric provides vertical flammability values of After Flame, and After Glow of 0 seconds, Char Length of 0 mm, and no Melt/Drip, as measured in accordance with ASTM D6413. 
     
     
       19. The knit fabric as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the V50 value is at least 675 fps. 
     
     
       20. The knit fabric as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the V50 value is at least 675 fps. 
     
     
       21. A garment formed from the knit fabric of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       22. The garment of  claim 21 , wherein the garment is a member selected from the group consisting of shirts, socks, dickies, undergarments, pants, and leggings. 
     
     
       23. The garment of  claim 22 , wherein the garment is a protective undergarment.